Psychological Assistant (West Beqaa & North Beqaa)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps has worked in Lebanon since 1993, running community development programs focused primarily on promoting agricultural and economic development, environmental sustainability, and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities.  At present, Mercy Corps is implementing programs funded by US State Department, the United Nations, and private donors.  Mercy Corps in Lebanon leverages the thriving Lebanese network of development organizations, and works very closely with local entities to implement programs that focus on: (1) Addressing humanitarian needs resulting from the Syrian crisis in Lebanon; (2) Increasing stability and resiliency among communities; (3) Catalyzing economic opportunities for youth, women and disadvantaged groups in the local economy. To improve the psychosocial well-being and resilience of vulnerable children, adolescents and families, through the provision of psychosocial support and strengthening of community and national capacities for child protection in emergencies, Mercy Corps has launched an “Advancing Psychosocial Support and Child Protection of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon (APSCP)” program. A 10 month program funded by UNICEF, the APSCP program aims to provide direct services including psychosocial support (PSS) activities for children, adolescents and their families, while also building community and national capacities toward a Child Protection System for effective identification and response. It builds on the Mercy Corps’ significant experience with children and youth in the region and previous successful work in Lebanon through Psychosocial Response Support for Vulnerable Refugees (PRSVR.) In APSCP, the intervention will continue to be based on the Comfort for Kids (C4K) and Moving Forward (MF) PSS activity modules for children and youth. In this phase, Mercy Corps will support local partners and community actors to directly implement PSS activities as well as increase the capacity of Social Development Centers and other community centers to provide specialized support to the Syrian refugee community. Mercy Corps will channel protection data and lessons learned to share with other service providers and child protection actors, as well as to inform specialized technical support to the Ministry of Social Affairs and coordination groups. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The psychological assistant will provide support to Mercy Corps’ Child Protection teams to provide psychosocial support to vulnerable Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese children and families to increase their emotional and social wellbeing in South, West Beqaa and North Beqaa, Lebanon. S/He will provide direct intervention with children caregivers and community training, plus assisting in guidance to staff (particularly animators) to ensure that activities are implemented according to Minimum Child Protection and PSS standards. The PA will work closely with the senior psychosocial support officer. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  Support and participate in the activities of psychological support for children, adolescents, parents and caregivers. Facilitate exercises activities in the workbook of comfort for kids.  Facilitate the moving forward activities.  Identification, referral and support, of mental health cases and psychosocial needs.   Meet weekly with local actors, and partners, for assessing the challenges, and the impact  of psychosocial support activities. Support the animators by technical suggestions and orientations in the planning of Psychosocial and structured activities. Facilitate parents and caregivers support groups.  Attend and participate in mobile activities.  Facilitate parents, caregivers and community Awareness-raising sessions.  Provide weekly reports and attend meetings with local partners.  Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to  bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission; Other duties as assigned; KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Clinical licence in psychology or other relevant field. Familiarity with international Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Child Protection and Gender based violence standards and guidelines. One year of experience providing psychological support and psychosocial interventions with vulnerable children, families and communities. Understanding of emergency response, familiarity of the Sphere Project’s Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues. Positive, respectful attitude and collaborative approach to diversity. Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently as well as cooperatively with team members. Written and oral communication skills in Arabic and English. Significant knowledge and understanding of the current political, social, economic, cultural and historical context of Lebanon and Syrian crisis. SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful psychological assistant will combine theoretical and practical skills and experience in psychological support and follow up of cases. S/He will have an outstanding ability to prepare, implement and evaluate support sessions with Syrian refugee, Palestinian refugee and Lebanese children, adolescents and their families. S/He will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team, communication, and good analytical skills. Able to learn about: emergency response, child protection and Gender Based Violence in addition to other topics. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.